Mustangs jump right into fall
V-ball, soccer squads face ranked teams early
The 2016-17 athletic calendar has officially kicked off at The Master’s University, which changed its name from college over the summer, as the women’s soccer and volleyball teams have both already squared off against some of the NAIA’s finest teams.
Women’s volleyball
Last week, the Mustangs opened their 2016 campaign at the Biola Volleyball/Red Lion-Anaheim Summer Slam Tournament by facing four teams featured on the NAIA’s Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll.
On Aug. 18, TMU bagged an impressive 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 2523, 25-16) victory over the 11thranked College of Idaho Coyotes, but then suffered its first lost of the season later in the day against the Montana Tech. The Orediggers beat TMU in three sets (25-21, 2522, 25-21 ).
On Aug. 19, the Mustangs lost in three sets as Eastern Oregon University downed TMU, 3-0, (17-25, 19-25, 20-25). TMU bounced back by cruising to a three-set victory (25-21, 25-21, 25-18) against No. 15 Rocky Mountain College later in the day.
The Mustangs swept Life Pacific College on Tuesday by scores of 25-16, 25-16, 25-10 to improve to 3-2 on the season.
Women’s Soccer
On Saturday, The Master’s University women’s soccer team
opened its 2016 campaign with a 1-0 loss to the University of Antelope Valley at the Lancaster National Soccer Center.
The Pioneers posted Saturday’s lone goal 15 minutes into the first half. UAV’s Lucy Martinez scored off a header. Eva Rivas had the assist.
Despite the shutout, the Mustangs posted 10 shots, seven on goal. TMU’s Hannah Bahr (a Saugus High graduate) led the Mustangs’ offensive efforts by contributing two shots on goal. Mustang goalkeeper Jessica Zubia grabbed three saves in the loss.
The Mustangs will now travel to the Bay Area for a tournament hosted by Menlo College. Today, TMU will play UC Merced at 1 p.m., followed by a match against NAIA No. 23 Carroll of Montana on Saturday.
Men’s Soccer:
TMU’s men’s soccer team will open its 2016 schedule today in Utah with a 5 p.m. match at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. On Saturday, TMU will play Carroll on the campus of Westminster.
For more information about The Master’s University Athletics, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @ TMUAthletics.